without making her lose her composed personality.
For a few seconds, the entire court was completely stunned.
Nobody knew what to say.
Aaron, however, was the first one to recover.
King Aaron: 🥰 First, we'll go to Mother's—
Aaron suddenly froze.
King Aaron: 😱 ...
His smile disappeared.
King Aaron: ...Oh no.
Minister 1: 🤔 What happened, Your Majesty?
Aaron slowly looked toward the palace entrance as if he had just remembered something terrifying.
King Aaron: I need to meet Elda.
Minister 1: Elda?
King Aaron: Right now. 😓
Minister 1: Of course, Your Majesty. 👍
Aaron turned toward Ashley.
King Aaron: Send her to the guest room until I meet her.
Minister 1: Yes, Your Majesty. 😊
Aaron walked closer to Ashley.
King Aaron: Alpha, can you stay there for a little while?
King Aaron: Don't worry.
King Aaron: I'll protect you. 😅
Ashley nodded innocently.
Ashley: Ahh… okay, Omega. 🙂
Aaron smiled.
King Aaron: Good.
And with that, Ashley was escorted toward the guest room.
Aaron watched her leave.
King Aaron: ...
King Aaron: I'm doomed.
Minister 1: Your Majesty?
King Aaron: Nothing. 😐
---
Inside the guest room, Ashley sat comfortably on the bed.
She looked toward the door.
Ashley: He fooled so easily. 😒
A stranger sitting nearby calmly replied.
Stranger: That's how Omegas are. 😐
Ashley: They're so connected to their mates that they forget about the real world. 😏
Stranger: Of course.
Stranger: This world is full of hatred and cunningness. 😈
Ashley: Hmm…
The stranger suddenly remembered something.
Stranger: Speaking of cunningness… 😒
Ashley: What? 🙃
---
Meanwhile, in the palace courtyard…
Soldier 1: Your Majesty, the Queen is on her way. ☺️
King Aaron: Alright. ☺️
The soldier bowed and left.
Aaron took a deep breath.
His smile slowly disappeared.
Because there was one very important reason he needed to speak to Elda before anyone else.
Aaron couldn't have an heir through a mate because of Royal Omega law.
That was why he had been married to Elda, the daughter of the Defence Chief.
After their marriage, Elda had been crowned Queen.
And although their marriage was politically necessary…
Aaron and Elda had known each other since childhood.
They were friends long before they became husband and wife.
---
Back in the guest room…
Stranger: You know King Aaron's wife, right? 🤔
Ashley: Yep. 🤨
Stranger: Then stay away from her.
Stranger: She's strong.
Stranger: Intelligent.
Stranger: And, most importantly—
Ashley interrupted.
Ashley: Don't give me some dramatic grand introduction. 😒
Ashley: She's just a good-for-nothing Queen.
Ashley: I didn't even see her in the courtyard during all this commotion.
Ashley: She didn't even come to see her husband's mate.
Ashley: What kind of wife does that? 😏
The stranger stared at Ashley.
Stranger: Girl…
Stranger: You have absolutely no idea who she is. 😱
Ashley: How dangerous can she be?
Stranger: ...
Stranger: Very.
---
In the courtyard, footsteps approached.
The guards immediately straightened.
Queen Elda entered.
She wore an elegant royal outfit, her expression calm and unreadable.
She stopped before Aaron.
Queen Elda: Am I late, Your Majesty? 😐
Aaron smiled.
King Aaron: How can someone who protects the entire country from the shadows ever be late, my lady? 🥰
Elda simply stared at him.
Queen Elda: ...
King Aaron: What?
Queen Elda: Nothing.
---
Guest room…
Stranger: You know what?
Ashley: What?
Stranger: She has many names.
Ashley: 🤨
Stranger: Shadow Queen.
Stranger: Defence Princess.
Stranger: War-Ground Strategist.
Stranger: Daughter of the Demon.
Stranger: Devil Queen.
Ashley: 😱
Ashley: OMG!
Ashley: How many names does one person need?!
Stranger: And every single one of them has a reason.
Ashley: ...
Stranger: So be careful around her.
Ashley: Why?
Stranger: Because she's dangerous.
Ashley: But you said she has a weak spot.
Stranger: She does.
Ashley: What is it? 😤
The stranger gave her a knowing smile.
Stranger: The King. 😏
Ashley: ...
Ashley: Oh?
---
Courtyard…
Aaron looked at Elda.
King Aaron: I know you've heard the message. 🥰
Queen Elda: Yes, Your Majesty. 😐
Aaron stared at her.
King Aaron: At least give me some reaction!
King Aaron: We're childhood friends!
King Aaron: How can you be this calm?! 😍
Queen Elda: Sorry, King.
Queen Elda: I can't. 😑
Aaron puffed his cheeks.
King Aaron: Hmm…
King Aaron: You're bad. 😜
Elda sighed.
Queen Elda: What do you want?
Aaron opened his mouth.
King Aaron: Actually, I wanted to—
Suddenly—
His foot slipped.
King Aaron: Ah—
Queen Elda: Your Majesty?!
Aaron lost his balance completely and fell forward.
Elda instinctively tried to catch him.
Instead—
Both of them tumbled straight into the fountain.
SPLASH!
Servants: 😱
Guards: 😱
Aaron resurfaced, coughing.
King Aaron: Gah—!
He was about to sink again when Elda immediately grabbed his hand and pulled him toward her.
Aaron's body moved forward.
And his hand landed on—
...
Elda's chest.
Both froze.
King Aaron: 😶
Queen Elda: 😶
The entire courtyard went silent.
Even the fountain somehow seemed quieter.
Aaron slowly looked down.
Then at Elda.
Then back down.
King Aaron: ...
Queen Elda: ...
Aaron immediately removed his hand.
King Aaron: S-Sorry! 😓
Servants rushed toward them and helped both of them out of the fountain.
Elda calmly fixed her clothes.
Her expression remained completely unreadable.
Queen Elda: Are you injured?
King Aaron: No.
Queen Elda: Good.
King Aaron: ...
King Aaron: You're not angry?
Queen Elda: Should I be?
King Aaron: ...
King Aaron: I don't know. 😅
Elda looked at him for a moment.
Queen Elda: You fell.
King Aaron: Yes.
Queen Elda: I caught you.
King Aaron: Yes.
Queen Elda: Your hand landed there accidentally.
King Aaron: Yes.
Queen Elda: Then there's nothing to discuss.
Aaron blinked.
King Aaron: ...
King Aaron: You're terrifyingly reasonable.
Elda: Thank you.
King Aaron: That wasn't a compliment.
Queen Elda: I know.
---
Back inside the guest room…
Ashley looked at the stranger.
Ashley: Isn't this enough? 🤔
Stranger: Enough for what?
Ashley: We can use him.
Stranger: ...
The stranger's expression immediately changed.
Stranger: Don't.
Ashley: Why?
Stranger: Don't you dare try to use the King.
Ashley: Why not? 😏
Stranger: Because if she finds out…
Stranger: Your death won't be quick.
Ashley: 😶
Stranger: It will be brutal.
Ashley: ...
Stranger: There's a reason people call her the Devil Queen. 🤨
Ashley folded her arms confidently.
Ashley: I think I'm the best. 😏
The stranger stared at her.
Stranger: Girl…
Stranger: You can kill five people at once.
Ashley: Exactly. 😏
Stranger: She can kill a hundred.
Ashley: ...
Stranger: At the same time.
Ashley: 😶
Stranger: So, please…
Stranger: Beware of King Aaron's wife.
Stranger: That woman isn't just clever.
Stranger: She's cunning. 👿
Ashley: ...
Ashley: I suddenly respect the Queen. 😐
Stranger: Good.
Ashley: But I'm still hungry.
Stranger: ...
Stranger: Of course you are.
To be continued..